Pardon Reika's horrid methods of introduction, but assisting people directly wasn't exactly her specialty. To summarize, she'd frantically retrieved a towel, a freshly brewed cup of green tea, and a new set of clothes from the clean laundry piles in the lower rooms of the Kitajiima inn.

At this particular moment, whoever the clothes originally belonged to was no concern of Reika's. "How're you feeling?" she asked, placing an instinctive hand on the boy's shoulder. He stole a sidelong glance at her lovely soft hand and Reika pulled back awkwardly.

"Ehm," he cleared his throat awkwardly, "fine. I'm just content to finally almost be dry." the intensely handsome teenager smiled a wide, ear to ear smile. It almost made Reika care for goofiness again. Because sometimes when certain people express certain types of delight, everything follows suit.

"I never did get your name. I'll have to record it for the police once they arrive in an hour or two."

The boy frowned, his face paling more than it usually was and his eyes widened as large as tea cakes. Boy, was she hungry.

Reika laughed. "Don't stress so much. I'm only kidding."

"Yokatta! Don't scare me like that!" He smiled, an articulation of relief. "But at any rate, my names Kaoru."

She grinned in appreciation that a stranger would offer such information, even if it was just a name; it was a good name. Not common, but not overly unique.

"Matsu-" she started to introduce. As an employee of Kitajima, it was customary for her to introduce herself by her secondary name only, but that rule could go suck it-. "Reika. I'm Reika."

"It's a pleasure-" Kaoru was cut off by the all too dreadingly familiar sound of footsteps coming down the devotedly clean staircase. And as an assurance, none of the inn's guests came down at this hour, so it could only be one grouchy boss.

What time was it anyways?

"C'mon!" Reika whispered harshly, "we'll take a back route!" She pulled Kaoru towards an open door that led to the dining rooms, reserved for only the most momentous guests. Reika had yet to understand the irony.

From the dining room, their route took a turn left into the engine room of generators and pipes leading everywhere around Kitajima. Up a staircase, cautious not to slip on the newly waxed, wooden floors; through two more doorways, and into the hovel of a workspace.

Reika's face turned bright red at the knowledge of where she'd led her confidential guest in moments of desperation.

Oh, no.

There were crumpled papers scattered throughout the disturbingly dusty floor. One garbage can stood against a corner of the room, it was already filled with what seemed like discarded ideas.

Reika had been watching Kaoru examine the room and she was beside herself to get him out of there. "I think she's gone now. We can exit immediately.

"But hold on a minute." He stepped further into the space. "Whats all this for?"

"Storage." she lied easily, but obviously.

"Uh huh." Kaoru began to rummage through old papers. Thankfully, he didn't pause to read the print.

"This is a private working environment." Reika implored.

"Look," he explained almost teasingly, "I've got a twin brother at home; we share a room, a host club profile, ah we basically share a life. Privacy is not a concept I intend on getting to know."

The Kitajima employee wasn't listening carefully, she was too nervous. But by now, Reika apprehended that she wouldn't be able to stop him.

"Hey, Reika? What's this?" Kaoru was pulling open her clandestine closet.

"No!"

Nonetheless, it was too late. The closet door was opened, revealing handsewn dresses, shirts, pants, shoes: you name it.

Reika sat down in her secret room's chair in defeat.

The Hitachiin twin, one of the heirs to the worldly famous Hitachiin designs company, studied the clothes with great knowledge.

"The fabric isn't anything reputable, therefore it has to be commoner's handiwork. The sewing was definitely done by hand, but even so..." he trailed off, examining the works more thoroughly, "how remarkable. The intricate designs on these dresses in particular. This has been wonderfully crafted! Nothing professional, of course."

To that, Reika blushed with embarrassment.

"But the stichwork... and the designs; it's so, intriguing."

Kaoru hung the garment back up and pivoted on his heel to face his kindhearted host.

"Reika?" he cooed. "Is this your artwork?"

As if her face wasn't already as red as a tomato... she stammered. "Er, I'd hardly call it artwork. It's just something I enjoy creating in my free time. It's not like I plan to make a career out of it or anything," she babbled on. "Besides, what with all the other clothing businesses up, I don't stand a chance! It's not supposed to look anything close to good, I promise!" Reika was trembling with embarrassment.

No one was supposed to see those, ever.

Kaoru created silence by walking towards her.

He pulled her into a relieving embrace: his chin resting on the top of her head.

"They're absolutely utsukushii. Beautiful."

A/N: And theres the closing of chapter 2. I figured I'd satisfy any romantic hints you were anticipating ;) So I'm pretty pleased with the 18 (I think) views so far. And THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEINGS to the two people who followed the story. Anyways, thanks for reading all the way to the end. I look forward to seeing you soon! You've probably noticed that I incorporate some Japanese words here and there, so here's the translations if my context clues failed.

Chotto-(Chapter 1) means "wait!"

Yokatta (Chapter 2) is an expression of relief.

Utsukushii-(Chapter 2) means "beautiful."

xx